On the morning of Aug. 28, for the second time, Air Force squadrons took off in succession from Hoa Lac Airport (Hanoi) and Kep Airport (Bac Ninh) toward Ba Dinh. A total of 27 aircraft, including Mi helicopters, Su-30MK2 fighters, Yak-130s and L-39NGs, took off in turn.
The Su-30MK2s flew in 2-5 formation, piloted by members of the 927th Air Regiment. Photo by Vu Anh
The fighter formation made two passes over Ba Dinh, the first in a straight line and the second demonstrating complex maneuvers. The display required precise coordination among the pilots.
A80 marks the first time the Su-30MK2 force has performed with a five-aircraft formation. During A50 and other defense exhibitions in Hanoi, the Su-30MK2s only flew in groups of four.
In the five-plane formation, the lead Su-30MK2 broke away, switched to afterburner, and drilled vertically into the sky. Photo by Duc Dong
The formation continued to split into groups and performed the vertical drill maneuver. Photo by Duc Dong
The fighter squadron flew past IL-14 aircraft VN-C482, once used to carry President Ho Chi Minh on missions during the resistance war against the U.S., now on display at the “80 Years of National Achievements” exhibition. Photo by Hoang Anh
Meanwhile, the Yak-130 training jet squadron, flying in a six-aircraft formation, headed for downtown Hanoi.
This is the first time a six-plane Yak-130 formation has appeared, double the number seen in Ho Chi Minh City's 50th Reunification anniversary parade on April 30. Photo by Duc Dong
After passing Ba Dinh, three Yak-130s split off, with the lead aircraft performing a vertical drill. Photo by Duc Dong
The Yak-130s belong to the 940th Regiment based in Phu Cat in central Vietnam, which redeployed to the North in late July to rehearse for the 80th National Day parade.
Four L-39NGs flew in a stepped formation over the Hanoi Flag Tower. The flight was carried out by pilots of the 910th Regiment, who relocated from Tuy Hoa (Phu Yen in central Vietnam) to Kep in July to practice. Photo by Le Tuan Tam
Earlier, a 10-helicopter squadron, including Mi-171, Mi-17, and Mi-8s, took off from Hoa Lac Airport carrying the national flag and the Party flag, flying over Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo by Vo Thanh
Major General Nguyen Phung Tuan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Defense–Air Force, commanded the flight. Photo by Duc Dong
Many people chose high vantage points to watch the fighter and jet formations fly into Ba Dinh. Photo by Duc Dong
After more than 30 minutes circling the skies of the capital, the helicopters, fighters and jets returned safely to land at their respective airports.
According to the plan, the Air Force’s aerial display will open the Sept. 2 parade at Ba Dinh Square. The five types of aircraft participating are Mi-171, Mi-17 and Mi-8 helicopters; C-295 and C212i transport planes; Su-30MK2 fighters; L-39NG trainers; and Yak-130 trainers.
